How to cut lolly sticks

Written by corey m. mackenzie| 13/05/2017

Ice lolly sticks are a common item for children's crafts. (Getty Creative)

Lolly sticks, also called craft sticks or, in the USA, Popsicle sticks, are a popular craft item because they can be used to make so many things. Miniature houses, fences, wagons--just about anything can be crafted from lolly sticks, as they are like tiny pieces of plywood. You may need to cut the sticks for some projects, however, and this requires the right tool or the edges will be very jagged and the whole stick will splinter.

Wait until sticks are dry, if they are wet. Wet sticks are more difficult to cut and the edge won’t be as even.

Use a ruler to measure where you need to make the cut on each stick. Mark the spot by drawing a line with a pencil, using the ruler’s edge to help keep the lines straight. Make the mark on both sides of the stick, as you will be cutting on both sides.

Place one stick at a time on a cutting board. Put on tough leather gloves to help prevent cuts.

Hold the knife at an angle, with the blade pointing away from you. When using these knives, always cut away from your body and never cut by dragging them toward your body. This way, if you slip, you run less risk of cutting yourself.

Press the tip of the razor knife on the pencil mark and make a shallow slice in the stick along the pencil mark. Turn the stick over and do the same on the other side.

Cut the mark again, this time pressing more firmly. At this point the blade might slice clean through. If not, flip the stick over and slice the other side again.